Червона літера
Hester and the Physician
Everandanon,too,therecameaglareofredlightoutofhiseyes,asiftheoldman’ssoulwereonfireandkeptonsmoulderingduskilywithinhisbreast,untilbysomecasualpuffofpassionitwasblownintoamomentaryflame.Thisherepressedasspeedilyaspossible,andstrovetolookasifnothingofthekindhadhappened.
Inaword,oldRogerChillingworthwasastrikingevidenceofman’sfacultyoftransforminghimselfintoadevil,ifhewillonly,forareasonablespaceoftime,undertakeadevil’soffice.Thisunhappypersonhadeffectedsuchatransformationbydevotinghimselfforsevenyearstotheconstantanalysisofaheartfulloftorture,andderivinghisenjoymentthence,andaddingfueltothosefierytortureswhichheanalysedandgloatedover.
ThescarletletterburnedonHesterPrynne’sbosom.Herewasanotherruin,theresponsibilityofwhichcamepartlyhometoher.
"Whatseeyouinmyface,"askedthephysician,"thatyoulookatitsoearnestly?"
"Somethingthatwouldmakemeweep,iftherewereanytearsbitterenoughforit,"answeredshe."Butletitpass!ItisofyondermiserablemanthatIwouldspeak."
"Andwhatofhim?"criedRogerChillingworth,eagerly,asifhelovedthetopic,andweregladofanopportunitytodiscussitwiththeonlypersonofwhomhecouldmakeaconfidant."Nottohidethetruth,MistressHester,mythoughtshappenjustnowtobebusywiththegentleman.SospeakfreelyandIwillmakeanswer."
